Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has urged leaders to support affirmative action in a bid to bring in more women into leadership.
Odinga said women are a disadvantaged lot and should be supported and encouraged to vie for political positions in the Country.
“There is need to empower women. They should also be given more roles to play in the Country,” he said.
Speaking in Muhoroni Sub County Saturday, during the burial of former Bomet Governor late Joyce Laboso, the former premier countered leaders who are opposed to affirmative action.
This comes after two-thirds gender bill has failed for a record four times more than any other bill since the National assembly could not gather a quorum of 233 of 349 MPs.
Odinga said gender issue should be addressed in the country in a special way to give women more chances of coming into leadership.
He noted that women had difficulty in ascending to power since they are married in foreign lands and have to compete with others who are born and bred in the area during elections.
“Most women face many challenges while competing with men because of many historical injustices, Let us support them as leaders,” he said.
He said the affirmative action is a platform for women to join many political seats to train and learn politics.
He called on the leaders to be committed to the move and ensure sustainable development in the country.
Odinga said affirmative action will bridge the gender disparity between women and men in both appointive and elective public entities.
The constitution provides that not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies, among them parliament, shall be of the same gender.
By John Ochanda
